A combination of Dutch, Native American, and old family names gives Delaware some very interesting names for towns, cities, communities, and unincorporated areas. Some warrant a chill, and others a snicker, but here are 12 places that we think have the strangest town names in Delaware!
1. Slaughter Beach
The reasoning behind the name of this little beach town has been debated for years, from old family names to dead horseshoe crabs to Native American legends. The most likely tale is that the town took its name from William Slaughter, the first postmaster.
2. Blue Ball
Not technically a town, but an unincorporated area in New Castle County....with a really unfortunate moniker. You can even celebrate an occasion at the Blue Ball Barn.
3. Wyoming
The town of Wyoming, Delaware would fit inside the State of Wyoming 139,740 times! However... there are more people in Delaware than there are in the state of Wyoming. Strange.
4. Broadkill
Broadkill is both a tiny beach community, and a river in Delaware. There's also a Murderkill River. Yikes! But don't worry, the tale says that the "kill" was left behind from the Dutch word for river.
5. Blades
Ok. So by now you're probably wondering what's up with all of the violent Delaware town names! No worries, though; this one is named after a founding father of the area whose last name is Blades... not any sort of weapon.
6. Cooch's Bridge
Ok, ok. So it's not really a town, but a historic district near Newark. It became famous during a Revolutionary War Battle! We couldn't resist putting this on the list, though, because we're clearly still in middle school.
7. Roxana
Did you know that Alexander the Great's wife was named Roxana? This oddly named community always makes me think of the Police song, too.
8. Port Mahon
The locals know that Port "MAY-hon" (not Mah-HONE) as a strip of rocky shoreline along the Delaware Bay. It's named after a Spanish city!
9. Long Neck
Unfortunately, there are no giraffes here. You'll find some seaside views and one of Delaware's finer golf courses.
10. Leipsic
Many young Delawareans call this town "lipstick", because Leipsic is kinda hard to figure out. The town's most famous restaurant, Sambo's Tavern, is worth a visit for fresh crabs.
11. Kitts Hummock
We are assuming that this one comes from the definition of hummock that is a piece of forested land that is raised up out of a marsh.
12. Gumboro
Gumboro is just fun to say. We've always heard it said with a long, southern drawl! When you stop into town, be sure to visit the Gumboro Store.
We hear a rumor that there's a community in Delaware called Bacons. We'll have to go hunting for that one! What do you think the strangest town names in Delaware might be?
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